Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra honored to be part of NBA’s Africa Game

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra has been a part of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in Africa this week. (Photo Miami Heat)

Luol Deng played just two seasons with the Miami Heat but he made an impact on coach Erik Spoelstra that goes beyond the court.

Spoelstra is in Africa as part of the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program and it is because of his relationship with Deng that he made the trip this summer.

Spoelstra spoke with Deng and his former assistant coach, David Fizdale, now the Memphis head coach, after they were a part of the first Africa Game two summers ago and decided he wanted to participate.

“Lu expressing his background and the experiences he had growing up was something that really impacted me and everybody on the team,” Spoelstra said Thursday from Johannesburg, South Africa.

“What they talked about after that week, and how emotional it was and how grateful Lu was for having so many people participate in it, Lu was a big reason why I’m over here now helping and it was great to catch up with him and get back out on the court together again, but doing it from a coaching and service standpoint.”

Spoelstra participated in a call after taking part in a Habitat for Humanity event with other coaches and players.

Since its inaugural year in 2001, the NBA and FIBA have staged 49 Basketball Without Borders camps in 30 cities in 25 countries on six continents.

The Africa Game will be held Saturday in Johannesburg and will feature Team Africa vs. Team World. It will be played in support of UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and SOS Children’s Villages South Africa.

Deng, who signed with the Lakers last summer, was born in South Sudan and will serve as a captain for Team Africa. Others on the team include Philadelphia’s Joel Embid, Toronto’s Serge Ibaka and Orlando’s Victor Oladipo.

Among those playing for Team World: Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, New Orleans’ DeMarcus Cousins, Portland’s CJ McCollum and New York’s Kristaps Porzingis.

“I just want to be able to give and serve,” Spoelstra said. “It’s a great game that we all feel so grateful for. I’ve done a lot of the NBA programs in the Philippines and other places in South Florida. But I’ve always wanted to be a part of BWB in Africa.… and to offer my services for the week. However little those may be, I just want to be able to help and contribute.”